Down but not out: York U Markham partners vow to fight to 'successful completion

'We remain equally committed to this vitally important project': York University Markham partners

Yorkregion.com
October 30, 2018
Tim Kelly

After the shock of having the dream of a university campus in Markham shattered just a week ago, the partners behind the project are not giving up.

It was just seven days ago that Premier Doug Ford’s PC government announced the province was pulling its 50 per cent funding commitment from the York University campus in Markham.

“I would like to express our deep disappointment,” said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti.

“This is extremely unsettling news,” York Regional chairperson and CEO Wayne Emmerson said.

“We can appreciate the fiscal approach the new government is in, especially in light of our own fiscal realities.”

The project was just days away from breaking ground for its anticipated 2021 opening in Markham Centre. Years and years of planning had been done between the Region of York, York University, Seneca College, and the City of Markham. It was to eventually become a centre of learning for 4,500 full-time students.

Not so fast.

On Oct. 26, the four partners in the York University campus in Markham made a statement that indicates they haven’t given up on the project even though they’ll have to find at least $125 million in funding to make it a reality.

“We remain equally committed to this vitally important project and to working together as we explore all possible options to build the campus,” said Rhonda L. Lenton, president and vice-chancellor, York University, along with David Agnew, president of Seneca College.

They were joined by Scarpitti and Emmerson who added: “The campus was designed to meet the forecasted steady increase in population growth and the demand for programs in areas like entrepreneurship, commerce, digital media and medical biotechnology, responsive to the emerging labour market needs of York Region and Ontario.”

They say that in the coming weeks they’ll be reviewing other ways to “advance our plans including any adjustments that may be needed regarding the timeline and taking into consideration the fiscal constraints of the province.”

The four partners say they are “steadfast in our commitment to seeing this project through to a successful completion.”